Despite how controversial Stormblood is/was...

[wereotter]

2 - She didn't live up to the 3.5 hype. Papalymo's death was intended set Lyse free to be her own person, but that entire plot point ended up falling flat. Making a new character in Lyse rather than just having Yda leave the Scions to help the resistance still baffles me to this day.

I think this has a lot to do with anyone who was familiar with the lore of the game knew there was something not right about Yda. The historical figure we knew fought back against the Garleans when they invaded Ala Mhigo, but also that event occurred 20-ish years prior to the start of the game. The Yda we knew in the story was clearly not old enough to be that character, so just leaving her as being Yda would have been a lore incongruity. So they had to do the whole reveal of "I'm not Yda"

But I do feel like if you didn't know all this going in, it was a reveal that seemed to really come from left field.

[Vahlnir]

I think this has a lot to do with anyone who was familiar with the lore of the game knew there was something not right about Yda. The historical figure we knew fought back against the Garleans when they invaded Ala Mhigo, but also that event occurred 20-ish years prior to the start of the game. The Yda we knew in the story was clearly not old enough to be that character, so just leaving her as being Yda would have been a lore incongruity. So they had to do the whole reveal of "I'm not Yda"

But I do feel like if you didn't know all this going in, it was a reveal that seemed to really come from left field.

I think for me it was that the reveal really didn't lead to much. Her "development" afterwards was so shallow that it was physically painful. I enjoy a strong female character, I really do. But they handled her poorly. I don't care for Alisaie either (and I find her to be extremely annoying) but I can admit that they took the time to develop her character. My character and hers just don't mesh well in my head is the thing. She's...not the type I picture him becoming best friends with. lol Y'shtola, Urianger or even Estinien I guess would be more his speed since they can appreciate personal space. They can be social without being overbearing.